Crop Production Techniques in Problem Soils (Cropping Systems & Agronomic Practices)
- Acid Soils (pH < 5.5)
Cropping Systems
- Rice-based systems: Rice–Rice, Rice–Pulse, Rice–Mustard.
- Millets-based: Finger millet–Pulse.
- Plantation crops: Tea, coffee, pineapple in NE & Kerala.
Agronomic Practices
- Liming: Apply lime to raise pH to 6.0–6.5 (split dose, band placement).
- Balanced fertilization: P & Mo with lime; foliar spray of B & Zn.
- Organic matter: FYM, compost, green manuring.
- Soil & water conservation: Contour bunds, terracing in hilly acid soil areas.
- Tolerant crops: Rice, finger millet, maize, potato, tea, sweet potato.
- Saline Soils (EC > 4 dS/m, pH < 8.5, ESP < 15)
Cropping Systems
- Rice–Wheat in canal irrigated areas after leaching.
- Barley–Berseem (fodder).
- Rice–Mustard, Rice–Cotton.
- In coastal saline soils → Rice–Pulses (mungbean/urd).
Agronomic Practices
- Leaching requirement (LR) maintained with good-quality irrigation.
- Drainage: Surface/subsurface.
- Irrigation: Frequent light irrigation, drip in vegetables.
- Mulching: Reduce salt accumulation at surface.
- Salt-tolerant varieties: Rice (CSR 10, CSR 36), Wheat (KRL 1-4), Barley (K 125).
- Sodic (Alkali) Soils (pH > 8.5, ESP > 15, EC < 4 dS/m)
Cropping Systems
- Rice–Wheat (common reclamation system).
- Rice–Barley in highly sodic lands.
- Rice–Dhaincha (green manure) → improves soil structure.
- Agroforestry: Karnal grass + Prosopis juliflora in initial stages.
Agronomic Practices
- Amendments: Gypsum, pyrite, sulphur.
- Puddling for rice: Reduces percolation, helps reclamation.
- Green manuring: Sesbania, sunhemp.
- Nutrient management: Apply ZnSO₄ (20–25 kg/ha), FYM.
- Salt-tolerant crops: Rice, barley, Karnal grass.
- Saline–Sodic Soils (EC > 4 dS/m, ESP > 15, pH > 8.5)
Cropping Systems
- Rice–Wheat, Rice–Barley, Rice–Mustard under reclamation.
- Forages: Karnal grass + rice system.
Agronomic Practices
- Apply gypsum → leach salts → sow tolerant crops.
- Alternate use of good-quality & saline water for irrigation.
- Salt-tolerant crop rotations (CSR rice + KRL wheat).
- Calcareous Soils (CaCO₃ > 10%)
Cropping Systems
- Cotton–Wheat (black soils).
- Sorghum–Pulse.
- Pearl millet–Wheat.
Agronomic Practices
- Fertilizer placement: Apply P in bands to reduce fixation.
- Micronutrient management: ZnSO₄, FeSO₄ foliar sprays.
- Organic matter: Improves nutrient availability.
- Suitable crops: Cotton, sorghum, maize, wheat, barley.
- Waterloged Soils
Cropping Systems
- Rice-based systems: Rice–Rice, Rice–Jute, Rice–Pulse (short-duration).
- Rice–Vegetables in raised beds.
- Aquatic crops: Water chestnut, lotus.
Agronomic Practices
- Drainage: Surface/subsurface; bio-drainage with eucalyptus.
- Raised beds and ridges for non-rice crops.
- Crop choice: Rice, jute, taro, swampy vegetables.
- Improved rice varieties: Jalmagna, Swarna Sub-1.
Key Exam Takeaways
- Rice-based systems dominate in acid, sodic, saline-sodic, and waterlogged soils (because rice tolerates stress).
- Salt-tolerant crops & varieties are the backbone of saline/sodic soil management.
- Green manuring (Sesbania/Dhaincha) is a universal practice in sodic & saline soils.
- Fertilizer placement (banding) critical in calcareous soils.
- Liming + P application is key in acid soils.
- Drainage is non-negotiable in saline & waterlogged soils.
